Since Jan. 5, 2008 at 2 a.m.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

After a six-week hiatus, Chien-Ming Wang decided to come back. And he came back in a huge way.

After a disappointing four-game split at home against the lowly Kansas City Royals, Wang (7-2) needed only 83 pitches to get through 7 1/3 innings for his first victory since May 2. He allowed the leadoff man to reach base in every inning except the eighth, but he only gave up one earned run while striking out two and walking two. He induced four double plays and had 15 groundouts overall. As well all know, the more grounders he gets, the better off he will be.

The offense struggled again, scoring three runs and stranding eight men on base in the process.

Alex Rodriguez and Bobby Abreu had two hits apiece. Rodriguez drove in the game's first run in the first inning.

Dana Eveland, the A's starter, gave up more walks (six) than hits (four) in his six innings but only gave up two earned runs (both in the first inning).

After giving up two home runs in the Kansas City series, Mariano Rivera was able to hold the A's scoreless in the ninth inning for his 17th save of the season. Rivera has been used in four straight games, so it would not surprise me if he was unavailable for the second game of this series.(AP Photo/Ben Margot)